Insomnia and Aging

webmaster note: guest article writer here today. I hope he provides something useful to you.

I was getting phone calls from some of my older relatives and started to wonder why that was occurring.

I’ve grown somewhat concerned as I know that they are calling me instead of sleeping.
Almost everyone will experience problems going to sleep or staying asleep at some point in their lives. A short term episode is normally not harmful. However, others do experience chronic insomnia which can lead to serious health problems.

The elderly are more apt to suffer insomnia as their sleep patterns undergo changes through the aging process. In addition, deeper sleep is less prevalent in the elderly.
In addition, other age related disorders (cognitive or dementia) as well as additional pain can lead to the inability to sleep well.

Too many naps (as older people tend to have the time) can mess with the natural sleep cycle.

Another interesting fact or rather non fact is that elderly people do not believe they need as much sleep. Most adults regardless of age require 8 hours of sleep nightly. If you do not feel rested when you wake, chances are you are not sleeping enough.

Many patients neglect to inform their health care provider of insomnia, or doctors do not inquire. When the subject is discussed, the result is normally a prescription for some sort of sleeping aid.

But there is no drug approved for chronic insomnia. If the drugs intended for short term use are instead used long term, the very problems people are trying to avoid can show up (memory loss, drowsiness, dizziness.)

Suggestions to assist with better sleep include eathing a healthy diet. Also avoid caffeine close to bed time.

• Avoid alcohol consumption as the REM cycle is disrupted.
• Exercise, especially in the outdoors in direct sunlight can make a big difference in getting and staying asleep.
• Naps can actually assist with insomnia, but limit them to about 20 minutes or so per day.

Fight Your Insomnia With Meditation

Practicing meditation can be a great tool in the battle to achieve a more restful night’s sleep. You CAN achieve a deeper and more refreshing sleep that will leave you ready to tackle your new day. Meditation is often very helpful.

Try a Natural Remedy for Insomnia to Help You Sleep Tonight

Do you have trouble dropping off to sleep? Is your mind going over the occurrences of the day? Are you panicking that you don’t have enough time to do all you have to do tomorrow? Are you faced with a deadline to get a job done?   

By: Christian Goodman..

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Christian Goodman is a well known health researcher and author of several revolutionary natural health alternatives. One of his recent breakthroughs is his natural method for how to cure insomnia. You can learn more about Christian on his Natural Health Blog.

An Apple A Day Keeps The Alzheimer’s Away? You know sometimes no I should say mostly when a saying becomes cliche precisely because it is right on. I have always believed this when it comes to " an apople a day keeps the doctor away? I thought this before this research was brought to my attention. there is never any medical advice here only reporting and informing any medical advice must come from your personal doctor.

Preventing Alzheimer’s with what you eat is not a new topic here in the pages og this blog. Now there is encouraging research being done (sorry not on humans on lab animals) which suggests that apple juice can be a part of a brain protecting plan of action. This is no surprise to many who have long held that Alzheimer’s may be at least partly the result of the brain not getting enough blood glucose. The theory is that reduced blood flow leads to reduced sugar getting to and nourishing the brain cells.

Craig Weatherby of Vital Choices writes:

"The apple juice studies seem to yield a more involved result and it is suggested that it isn’t necessarily the blod sugar connection they are observing

But a series of studies by researchers at the University of Massachusetts suggests that apple juice may aid brain health in several other ways.

A team led by Thomas Shea, PhD of the University’s Center for Cellular Neurobiology conducted controlled studies in normal and “apoE-deficient” mice, which are prone to develop Alzheimer’s disease (Chan A, Shea TB 2009). Mice bred to lack the apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene are susceptible to the excessive buildup of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain, which kill cells and is strongly associated with development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Beta-amyloid plaque kills brain cells in part by increasing the oxidative stress caused by free radicals … an effect that promotes senile dementia, Alzheimer’s, and age-related cognitive decline.

The Massachusetts team found that adding apple juice concentrate to the animals’ drinking water had several beneficial effects:

Blocked buildup of beta-amyloid plaque in normal and apoE-deficient mice.
Decreased expression of a gene called presenilin-1 (PS-1), which promotes Alzheimer’s disease by raising beta-amyloid plaque and free radical levels.

Maintained acetylcholine levels in aged mice placed on vitamin-deficient, oxidative stress-promoting diets, which otherwise cause levels of this key neurotransmitter to decline. Major anti-Alzheimer’s drugs like Tacrine and Aricept work (pretty weakly) by reducing breakdown of acetylcholine.

Together, these findings support earlier epidemiological findings, which suggest that people who frequently consume fruit juice — and fruits and vegetables rich in flavonoid-type antioxidants — enjoy a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. "

I think this bodes well for the future of prevention or at least the delay of Alzheimer’s disease.

  Apple Juice May Delay Alzheimer’s Disease: New Research Shows …

While scientists continue to research the possible effects of nutrition upon Alzheimer’s prevention, this study suggests that including apple juice in the daily diet would be worthwhile.

Caregivers of Those with Age Dementia Symptoms Need Care Too.

Your family is just beginning to digest the diagnosis of progressive dementia and prognosis for continuing decline. You work hard to get the right caretaker for the job maybe it’s a spouse or child of the patient or a professional. It is important to know the stress that whoever is doing this labor of love you remember they have feelings and breaking points too. This is an emotionally demanding job.

Caregivers need just as much care as the Alzheimer’s patient. Many times people who take care of parents or other family members who are affected by Alzheimer’s Disease are overlooked in the care process. This can result in burnout especially if the caregiver is still looking after their own family at the same time. There are some specific issues that need to be focused on so that caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients, and those with other age dementia symptoms avoid this burnout.

Many caregivers start to feel lonely and isolated after a period of time. This is particularly true if they are providing care around the clock. Friends and family should make a point to call or visit the caregiver so that they have some connection to the outside world.

Caregivers can become very frustrated when coping with age dementia symptoms so it’s important to take the time to listen to what they have to say. Sometimes it can help just to talk about the stress and anxiety that they are feeling since they won’t be able to share this with their patient.

Even caregivers managing people just beginninnng to show the age demeni tia symptoms need to have a break now and then, even if it’s only for a few hours a week. Family members and friends should lend a helping hand so that the primary caregiver can get out of the house at least once a week.

Help with everyday chores will also be needed since there is no way that the caregiver can do everything. Some of the help that family members and friends can provide include (1) bringing over a cooked meal, (2) doing a load of laundry, (3) buying groceries, or (4) housekeeping. If no one is available to lend a hand you might want to consider hiring an agency to come in and help with some of these domestic chores.

With so much information about Alzheimer’s Disease available it’s important that caregivers stay up to date with current news. This includes all aspects of giving care, new medications, and specific information about the disease. As many people as possible should be involved in the care of an Alzheimer’s patient as possible.

After progressive dementia and prognosis for further decline the whole world is changed. Around the clock care is crucial for patients who are past early age dementia symptoms and who have reached the later stages. Although one primary caregiver should be appointed to a patient it doesn’t mean that all issues of care should come to depend on this one person. Giving care to an Alzheimer’s patient means a lot of hard work, frustration, fear, and tears. Sharing the load among as many people as possible only eases the burden for all and can improve the quality of care that is provided for the patient.

By: Wendy Gorman

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

U.S GOVT ALZHEIMER’S INFO

MAYO CLINIC ON ALZHEIMER’S

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE RESEARCH

WEB MD